LINCOLN, Neb – The Trump administration today announced that it is rescinding the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Program. The DACA program has served as a critical lifeline for nearly 800,000 young immigrants, or “Dreamers,” who came to this country as children and know the United States as their only home. Over 3,300 Nebraskans participate in the DACA program.
The following is a statement from Danielle Conrad, Executive Director, reacting to the announcement rescinding the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program:
“Today is a cruel day for Dreamers, their families, and all Americans. President Trump’s decision to end DACA is a manufactured crisis in response to an artificial deadline from anti-immigrant leaders in Nebraska and other states.
“Five years ago, the federal government made a deal with immigrant youth: As long as you pass a criminal background check you can live, study, and work here. Hundreds of thousands of young people came out of the shadows and accepted the government’s offer in good faith and worked hard to build their lives here.
“Today, the government and President Trump went back on their word, threw the lives and futures of 800,000 Dreamers and their families into disarray, and injected chaos and uncertainty into thousands of workplaces and communities across America.
“In Nebraska alone, over 3,300 of our neighbors use their DACA status to give back to our state in innumerable ways: they are our doctors, soldiers, and students, our neighbors, family, and friends.
“Now, the fate of 800,000 young adults, including 3,300 Nebraskans who call this country their home, lies in the hands of Congress. We urge our congressional delegation to follow the lead of Congressman Don Bacon in standing with Dreamers. Bipartisan leadership in the Nebraska Legislature has already recognized the contributions that these young immigrants have brought to our state and passed laws that acknowledge when everyone can contribute fully to our state, everyone benefits. Attorney General Doug Peterson and Governor Pete Ricketts should follow the lead of the Nebraska Legislature and end their misguided and hurtful attacks on young immigrants.
“While this is a hard day for the immigrant community and America as a whole, we will continue to fight. Years of courage, sacrifices, and organizing won the DACA program in 2012. Nothing will deter these Americans and our allies in Nebraska and across the country from continuing to fight on behalf of their futures and holding those responsible accountable.”
